BSc (Hons)
Business Information Technology
Study the practical application of IT to improve business functions
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Every organisation is dependent upon information; without it managers cannot make decisions, products and services cannot be delivered, and customers’ wishes cannot be fulfilled.
This course enables you to combine an understanding of business with high levels of technical skill in the use and exploitation of information and communication technologies.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Do a one-year placement working in a paid full-time role
- Specialise in a specific area with the option to transfer on to one of the other business-related courses after your first year
- Opt to study a foreign language and add to your business repertoire, options include French, German, Italian, Spanish or Mandarin
What opportunities might it lead to?
Your specialist knowledge of ICT tools and techniques will enable you to enter a professional career in IT service management in the public or private sector, large or small organisations, or the manufacturing and service industries. Alternatively, perhaps you see yourself running your own business in a certain IT field.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- business development and consultancy
- recruitment
- emarketing
- publicity
- financial and risk analysis
The resources here are excellent. Portsmouth Business School is based in a modern building, equipped with large lecture theatres and state-of-the-art computer suites.
Andy Dymond, business student
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- G562
- Duration
- 3 years full time, 4 years sandwich with work placement
- Entry
280-300 points from 3 A levels or equivalent.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- bus.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8200 - Department
- Portsmouth Business School
Subject:
Business and Management
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- Insight into different aspects of the business world
- Lecturers who are experienced in their field and are passionate about sharing their knowledge
- Excellent work placement opportunities and careers support
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
This common first year among some of our business courses provides you with a broad understanding of how business operates and the key principles in IT service management.
You will specifically focus on the following areas:
- business operations
- accounting and finance
- business enterprise and systems (including ICT)
- economics
- business analytics (statistics and business modelling)
- IT services
Year two
Develop your understanding of IT service management, ecommerce, systems development and systems thinking. Also begin to tailor your degree through our range of options.
Core units in this year include:
- Business Systems Analysis
- Data Services & Security
- IT Service Management
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Business Communication Technology
- Applied Decision Modelling
- a foreign language
Year three*
Specialise further in a range of specific business disciplines and focus on business/information strategies and contemporary issues in applying and managing systems. You will also have a choice for your final year project from either a dissertation or a business research project.
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Issues in the Networked Society
- Advanced Systems Analysis
- Business Intelligence
- a foreign language
*This course is also available as a 4 year sandwich (+ work placement)
Teaching and Assessment
Our teaching approach involves a varied structure of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and practical sessions. We aim to provide a stimulating environment that encourages use of IT teaching methods as well as participation in group discussions and projects, alongside individual study.
How are you assessed?
We ensure a balance in assessment approaches to suit your differing learning styles. Here’s how we assess your work:
- examinations
- multiple choice tests
- online activities
- case studies
- practical exercises
- your choice of independent research
Tutor's view
Dr Adrian Benfell
Business and Management
The BSc Business Information Technology degree equips you with in-demand IT skills. You will be given the opportunity to explore the application of IT in business settings within a strong academic environment. After graduation, you will be able to move into careers that stress the importance of combining business awareness with knowledge of IT.
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Placements Office
Offering great placement opportunities
Academic Skills Unit (ASK)
ASK will help you become a successful university student
Computing
Great working spaces with high-spec PCs, Macs and printing facilities
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment
Placements Office
Take advantage of our Placements Office. Providing you with a huge portfolio of employers offering great business-related placement opportunities, the experienced team is always on hand to offer advice on everything from producing high quality applications through to preparation for a company assessment day.
Academic Skills Unit (ASK)
ASK will help you become a successful university student. Our workshops are designed to improve a number of essential academic skills from essay writing and understanding plagiarism to revision and exam techniques. This is a great way to enhance your academic performance and make a smooth transition into university study.
Computing
We have invested heavily in open access computer suites across campus. Great working spaces with high-spec PCs (multimedia and CAD), Macs and printing facilities. There is also more specialised software and equipment available such as large format printing, audio-visual equipment and language laboratories. Should you need any assistance, there are specialist technicians on hand to support you in using the facilities.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
Our range of business degrees are an excellent starting point for careers in business and management with many of our previous graduates now holding senior management positions. You may find careers within a technical environment, particularly IT Service Management and you’ll be qualified to enter a wide range of both IT-related work and more general business careers.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- market researcher
- business development officer
- recruitment consultant
- sales and marketing coordinator
- account manager
Work experience
Boost your degree with the opportunity to undertake a one-year placement working in a paid full-time role which offers progression and a suitable level of responsibility. You will benefit from the contemporary business experience that employers demand, making you highly employable upon graduation.
With employers now seeking key business competencies and experience alongside a good degree, work experience is more vital than ever. Due to its very nature a placement year is the best and most involving type of work experience you can do during your time at university. As such, a placement will help ensure you are as employable as possible upon graduation.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more